subject: El Born: Santa Maria del Mar day and night [print this page] El Born: Santa Maria del Mar day and night
The narrow streets of El Born quarter will lead you to the most stunning cathedral in Barcelona. Have a stroll along them and you will feel the spirit of Barcelona in the 14th century. These streets were named in honour of the guilds who lived and worked at a time of maritime and commercial preeminence of the city.
Go on and you'll meet the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in front of your eyes. Admire one of the best examples of Gothic style architecture and Antoni Gaudi's inspiration for the design of the Sagrada Famlia interiors.
Santa Maria del Mar was designed by Berenguer de Montagut and it was the place where the shipwrights and merchants of Barcelona used to meet and prayed after work. At that time, it took ages to build a church. However, the contribution of the people of Barcelona helped to complete the basilica in just 55 years, between 1329 and 1384. The citizens gave money and carried stones on their backs to build the church of la Ribera.
Santa Maria del Mar is an enormous jewel of architecture and looks sublime and gorgeous among the narrow streets. The great rose window is worth a mention and also the infinite stained-glass windows. The guild members contribution is reminded at the entrance of the church with statues which commemorate how they helped to transport the heavy stones from the quarry to the church.
The interior of the church is also a delight for the visitors eyes and it keeps private tombs and those of Barcelona's medieval guilds and brotherhoods.
The Cathedral of the Sea written by Ildefonso Falcons is set in the wonderful church at the time of its construction. Carlos Ruiz Zafn also talks about it in his novel The Angel's Game.
Santa Maria del Mar closes its doors at night and the life in the dark el Born starts in the bars. Nightlife around the basilica is one of the most advisable and healthy in Barcelona. There is place for everbody and there are bars suitable to anyone.
From a delicious cocktail in La Luna to samba music in Berimbau. Have a glass of cava in El Xampanyet or drink a glass of wine in Va de vi. Also, if you prefer some international cuisine, don't go past La Fianna.
Go to El Born in Barcelona, visit Santa Maria del Mar and enjoy your night at any bar around the cathedral of the sea.
